Butter or cooking spray, for ramekins
3 cups bite-sized cubes challah bread
1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1/2 cup raisins
2 large eggs
1/2 cup half-and-half
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 teaspoons Calvados
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch allspice
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
Kosher salt
1 cup heavy cream, cold
1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped and reserved
The unsweetened whipped cream is meant to temper the sweetness of the bread pudding. Add a tablespoon or two of sugar before beating if you like a sweeter whipped cream.